38 replies to this topic

[Elfmaze]

My first night playing with this thing.. Cloudy night, so no stars yet... But I can see the eyepiece position being an issue.

 

Was thinking about these hydraulic carts from harbor freight would not only be nice to help roll the scope out... But it could bring the scope up to a comfortable stool or standing height for the object being viewed.   We are both 5'7" and 6'1", no kids will need to view. 

Or will it just introduce too much vibration etc?

 

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Edited by Elfmaze, 13 November 2022 - 10:10 AM.

[SeattleScott]

Orion sells platforms for Dobs. Better than something on wheels I would think. Some people get wheeled carts for Dobs so they can chime in. Obviously good for portability.

[Bill Jensen]

I own an adjustable chair. One of the best scope accessories I ever purchased. I have used it on scopes from 8 inches to 14.5 inches, both in the field and at home. 

[RoofMonkey911]

It could work. But for the $370 price tag? Ouch!

To lift it off the ground, you could buy a pine round board, table leg kit and legs from Home Depot for quite a bit less.

 

https://www.homedepo...82527/202017012
 

[Elfmaze]

It could work. But for the $370 price tag? Ouch!

To lift it off the ground, you could buy a pine round board, table leg kit and legs from Home Depot for quite a bit less.

 

https://www.homedepo...82527/202017012
 

I see $249 in the US at least.  They have a 1000lb table for $100 more.

 

So after playing the harbor freight waiting for 25% off sale game it should be under $200....or about the same as an astro chair. 

[RoofMonkey911]

I see $249 in the US at least.  They have a 1000lb table for $100 more.

 

So after playing the harbor freight waiting for 25% off sale game it should be under $200....or about the same as an astro chair. 

I must have been looking at the 1000lb one then! Which would be a bit of overkill…hahaha….

[Bistromath]

Rather than move the scope up and down on an adjustable table, move yourself up and down on an adjustable chair.  There are several commercially available models.  If the cost of those is more than your budget allows (as is my case!), then there are also plans available to build your own wooden chair.  There are numerous threads in the Equipment section regarding observing chairs.  Here is one:  https://www.cloudyni...bserving-chair/

 

A short, non-adjustable platform for the telescope, along with an adjustable chair might be a good combo.  Commercially made scope platforms are available (as mentioned in post #2) but a home-built version is a fairly easy make and much more cost effective.

[SeattleScott]

An advantage of standing, in a cold climate, is it helps you stay warmer in winter. But a chair can make sense too.

[RoofMonkey911]

For everyone mentioning an observing chair… while that is a great idea and warranted, the problem with these telescopes, in particular, is the way the Focuser is mounted. The photo he OP posted shows the scope way up off the ground on a table or something.

looking at anything below, probably, 50° above the horizon, you are literally sitting on the ground. So even an observing chair would be uncomfortable.
 

[rgk901]

I rotated upper tube 45 degrees and use a chair...

comfy at all angles.

[Elfmaze]

For everyone mentioning an observing chair… while that is a great idea and warranted, the problem with these telescopes, in particular, is the way the Focuser is mounted. The photo he OP posted shows the scope way up off the ground on a table or something.

looking at anything below, probably, 50° above the horizon, you are literally sitting on the ground. So even an observing chair would be uncomfortable.
 

Correct,  this is on a 26" tall table.   With the side mount and low angle the eyepiece could be easily 2ft off the ground.  A wedge pillow and laying down might work

[Elfmaze]

I rotated upper tube 45 degrees and use a chair...

comfy at all angles.

I did see that mod.   I do have to pick a direction though as the 45* viewer doesn't work as well with the table 

[MellonLake]

For everyone mentioning an observing chair… while that is a great idea and warranted, the problem with these telescopes, in particular, is the way the Focuser is mounted. The photo he OP posted shows the scope way up off the ground on a table or something.
looking at anything below, probably, 50° above the horizon, you are literally sitting on the ground. So even an observing chair would be uncomfortable.

I can view down below 15 degrees with my chair very comfortably. I can also view at the Zenith. The seats go all the way down to ground level and to very high heights. I have a Catsperch.

I would focus on a good chair.

[rgk901]

I did see that mod.   I do have to pick a direction though as the 45* viewer doesn't work as well with the table 

Yes, rotating the UTA makes it possible to view seated, NOT standing, for standing you want table/platform... but I hate standing, bending over etc etc

Edited by rgk901, 13 November 2022 - 01:32 PM.

[BradFran]

That focuser position is correct for a 20", not for a 10". It should be at 45 degrees from horizontal.

[Max Headroom]

My first night playing with this thing.. Cloudy night, so no stars yet... But I can see the eyepiece position being an issue.

 

Was thinking about these hydraulic carts from harbor freight would not only be nice to help roll the scope out... But it could bring the scope up to a comfortable stool or standing height for the object being viewed.   We are both 5'7" and 6'1", no kids will need to view. 

Or will it just introduce too much vibration etc?

 

I just built a plywood table/platform that brings the EP up to my eye line (when standing up straight) when the scope is straight up.  The top is slightly bigger than the scope base with a small lip.  No real need for adjustment IMO since this puts the EP of the scope at a comfortable height for 99% of targets.  Light weight, easy to move and store, and cost me about 40 bucks.  My setup didn't add any vibration and seems real solid, and I've been using it for a couple of years.  One of the best 'mods' I've done on the scope.
I think you could easily find a fixed height that would work for the both of you. 

Edited by Max Headroom, 13 November 2022 - 01:59 PM.

[BlueRidgeSky]

I saw something like this recommended one time. I think it was still recommended to have the UTA rotated, though.

 

https://www.amazon.c...RhaWwp13NParams

[sevenofnine]

The standard solution for this is a white Starbound or Vestil Observer's Chair. It adjusts to all different heights from low to high  

 

https://www.bhphotov...hair_White.html.

 

https://www.amazon.c...32-63e904010ad0.

Edited by sevenofnine, 13 November 2022 - 05:16 PM.

[RoofMonkey911]

Correct,  this is on a 26" tall table.   With the side mount and low angle the eyepiece could be easily 2ft off the ground.  A wedge pillow and laying down might work

Never thought of using a wedge pillow! Hahahaaa

[Elfmaze]

My 1st night out last night.   I used the 2 c tables.  A bit of wobble, but I think I really like my idea of a cart.   Tearing down at the end of the night sucks when you're tired. Would be nice to just brought it back in the garage.  And I underestimated how many little eye piece parts are sitting around on the ground to step on.   A table may give me a spot next to the scope to put gear

[Jon Isaacs]

My 1st night out last night.   I used the 2 c tables.  A bit of wobble, but I think I really like my idea of a cart.   Tearing down at the end of the night sucks when you're tired. Would be nice to just brought it back in the garage.  And I underestimated how many little eye piece parts are sitting around on the ground to step on.   A table may give me a spot next to the scope to put gear

 

There are many solutions that avoid tearing the scope down.  With larger scopes, wheel barrow handles are the typical method.  It works with smaller scopes as well but it's overkill.  

 

 

With a smaller scope, a hand truck is an easy way to move a Dob with a minimum of hassle.  

 

As others have said, an adjustable observing chair is comfortable and quick to adjust.  Viewing seated not only is more comfortable but your upper body is much more stable. This is particularly important when viewing at high magnifications. My favorite chair is the Starbound, the one in this photo is over 20 years old.. 

 

 

A rock solid mount is one of the advantages of the Dobsonian, elevating it is never as solid as being on the ground..The resolution of a 10 inch Dob is about 1/2 arc-second.  A vibration of a small fraction of a millimeter will blur the image.  

 

As far as the table and storage,there are a number of solutions.  With a Dob, sometimes eyepiece racks are attached to the rocker box. That way the eyepieces are there at your fingertips as you move about the sky. 

 

 

Often, one does have a stand alone observing table for eyepieces etc. I sometimes use a rolling cart so my eyepieces, filters etc are right at my fingertips. I roll the cart when I move to a different part of the sky.  But currently, I use eyepiece racks mounted to a Bogen 3046 tripod with an accessory tray on top for filters, binoculars, etc.

 

 

(Catsperch Pro chair with 16 inch Dobstuff)

 

Jon

 

 

 

[Far-Out]

Before I sold my 10” ES truss, I bought this it just fit, raised some and solid, and inexpensive .

$20.00, plus it’s nice to have around the house. No extra room so had to be very careful to place properly.

https://go.harborfre...for-only-19-99/

 

My  2 cents. Had the uncaged upper version with bottom fan. I think the solid upper cage version is nicer.

A very nice scope. Good luck with it.

Larry

[RoofMonkey911]

So how was the scope? Hope you enjoyed the views!
 

My 1st night out last night.   I used the 2 c tables.  A bit of wobble, but I think I really like my idea of a cart.   Tearing down at the end of the night sucks when you're tired. Would be nice to just brought it back in the garage.  And I underestimated how many little eye piece parts are sitting around on the ground to step on.   A table may give me a spot next to the scope to put gear

[Elfmaze]

So how was the scope? Hope you enjoyed the views!

Jupiter and Saturn were again the stars of the show last night. Although could certainly see more stars through the eye piece than naked eye. I'm still waiting for an angle on Orion to see if I can pick up the nebula.

But especially with star sense not working quite yet.. I don't know what I'm supposed to be pointing it at. I'll get to a star party soon and figure out what I'm supposed to be doing

[Tony Flanders]

An advantage of standing, in a cold climate, is it helps you stay warmer in winter.

As a habitual cold-weather observer, I don't agree. Certainly not if you make a point of getting up from your chair periodically and walking around. In fact stopping and walking around is equally valuable if you're observing from a standing position.

In general, my feet stay warmer when I'm seated. Standing on them tends to cut off the circulation.

From the standpoint of comfort and stability, lowering yourself is far more effective than raising the scope.